Legal Guidance Built for Animal Business Owners
Because your business isn't just business — it's your mission. Expert Advice for Kennels, Importers, Veterinarians, Legislative Advocacy, Trainers, & Charitable Organizations
You didn’t start your animal business to deal with lawsuits, staff meltdowns, or agency audits.
Maybe you realized you would be dealing with bites. You just didn't realize it would be from an employee or a government agency.
But the more your operation grows, the more legal and HR pressure you face — from employee disputes, to contracts, to licensing concerns, and everything in between. At Treaty Oak Legal, we serve animal-based business owners in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and nationwide who operate in complex, regulated, and emotional environments. We provide clear legal guidance that helps you stay compliant, make hard decisions, and keep your animals — and your business — protected.
FAQs
What if I’ve already made mistakes?
Nope. Most of our clients don’t come to us with a clean bill of health — they come with bites, scratches, and a few legal fleas. The important thing is that you noticed. We’ll help you patch the wounds and build stronger policies going forward.
Do you actually understand animal people like me?
We don’t just understand your world — we’ve lived in your pack. We’ve fostered, lobbied, testified, and cleaned up more messes than we can count. We know this isn’t just business — it’s mission work. And we treat it that way.
What if I can’t afford a whole legal team?
You don’t need a pack of attorneys — just the right one. We offer right-sized, flat-fee options and can scale up or down depending on your situation. No retainers. No fluff. Just protection that fits your reality.
Are you going to judge me or how I’ve handled things so far?
Absolutely not. We know this work is messy — emotionally, logistically, and legally. We’re not here to hiss, growl, or bite. We’re here to help you get cleaned up and fully protected for whatever comes next.
I’ve been using contracts from other organizations — isn’t that good enough?
That’s like using your grandmother’s cat leash on a Great Dane — it might hold until it doesn’t. What works for one org can be legally useless (or dangerous) for yours. We tailor documents to your actual operation, species, and staff — no guesswork, no templates with teeth marks.
🐾 Legal Guidance for Animal Business Owners
Why NOW
What if waiting puts your animals — or your license — at risk?
State inspections and licensing board reviews are ramping up across Texas
Even small paperwork mistakes can lead to seizure, fines, or shutdowns
Competitors or ex-staff can trigger anonymous complaints
Passion won’t protect you — documented compliance will
Are you one staff meltdown away from a legal crisis?
Poor hiring and vague policies are fueling lawsuits and unemployment claims
One toxic employee can ruin morale and reputation — fast
Unclear boundaries often backfire in high-emotion workplaces
“Handling it later” usually costs triple — in time, money, and sanity
Maybe the dogs put up with your dramatic employee but the business will not.
How much longer can you run a mission-focused org with no legal muscle?
You’re compassion overloaded and decision-fatigued — legal clarity helps
Risk management protects your ability to keep doing this work long term
“Martyr mode” isn’t a business strategy — it’s a burnout plan
Systems and support give you room to breathe (and maybe take a day off)
What happens when you outgrow your DIY policies?
Staff ask questions your handbook can’t answer — or contradicts itself
Contracts written by “a friend” might not hold up in court
Legal exposure increases with every new client, animal, or hire
Scaling your mission without scaling your protections is a recipe for regret
Can you afford the wrong kind of attention?
Animal politics can turn reputational quickly
One bad Google review or client dispute can spiral into an investigation
You’re visible in your community — and that’s a legal risk if you’re not ready
Handling problems privately now avoids very public problems later
"Treaty Oak Legal brings a rare mix of legal skill and deep understanding of animal welfare policy. As someone who’s spent years fighting for animals at the Capitol, I trust them to guide animal business owners with integrity and insight. They don’t just know the law — they know the mission."
Shelby Bobosky
Natalie Lynch testifying on HB 159/SB 349
Natalie Lynch testifying on SB 876 2023
"Treaty Oak Legal understands the intersection of business, compliance, and animal welfare in a way few firms do. Their team brings professionalism, strategic clarity, and credibility to an industry that’s often legally misunderstood. I have confidence referring animal-facing businesses to them."
Katie Jarl
See Why Animal Employers Call Treaty Oak First
Common Mistakes We See
Invested
- DIY contracts copied from friends or forums.
- Hiring based on emotion, not policy
- Paying staff in ways that violate wage laws
- Avoiding discipline out of fear of backlash
What We Help You Avoid
Landmines
- Employee lawsuits or retaliation claims
- DOL, EEOC, or TWC investigations
- OSHA violations and staff injuries
- Reputational fallout that hurts the animals too
What We Offer
Bespoke
- Compliant hiring, wage, and classification systems
- Customized contracts, handbooks, and HR templates
- On-call support for urgent staff or policy issues
- Risk audits tailored to your operations
How We're Different
Straightforward
- Our founder sat on the TDLR dog and cat breeder oversight board
- We’ve led the State Bar's Animal Law Section
- We’ve testified at the Texas Capitol for animals, not politics
- We use plain language and move fast
You Didn’t Start This Business to Worry About Compliance.
You started it to earn a living while protecting animals. But ignoring legal and HR risks — even unintentionally — can put everything at risk: your animals, your business, and your peace of mind.
At Treaty Oak, we’ve worked inside this industry for decades — not just as lawyers, but as animal advocates, fosters, and rescuers. We understand the politics, the people, and the pressure.
Whether you’re running a rescue, a grooming facility, a boarding operation, a breeder business, or a hybrid model — we help you make hard decisions without compromising your values.
Why Choose Treaty Oak
We Understand the Animal Industry from the Inside
Our lead attorney served as President of the State Bar’s Animal Law Section and sat on the TDLR's Dog and Cat Breeder Oversight Board in the welfare seat. We’ve testified on legislation that affects your daily operations — and we bring that insider knowledge to your legal strategy.
We Integrate Business Law and HR Compliance
You don’t need a separate HR firm or a generalist lawyer who doesn’t understand staff dynamics in high-emotion settings. We combine business and employment law with real-world HR tools to protect your operations from both legal and interpersonal risk.
We Speak Plainly and Act Fast
No vague memos. No slow replies. You’ll get direct answers, actionable templates, and fast support for urgent decisions. Whether it's an employee meltdown or an audit notice, we’ll help you navigate it without wasting time or words.
No Criticism— We Protect
You’ve likely made decisions based on instinct, loyalty, or emotion — and that’s normal in this field. We don’t criticize how you got here. We focus on what comes next and help you build a safer, more resilient operation going forward.
